Apparatus for conditioning air



Nov. 20, 1934. G. D. HARRIS APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING AIR Filed Jan. 15, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwuento'o Nov. 20, 1934. G. D. HARRIS APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING AIR 3 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 15, 1952 Nov. 20, 1934. D HARQ 1,981,595

APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING AIR Filed Jan. 13, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 TEA/1 L M/E gwvantoz dbkowaga Patented Nov. 20, 1934 A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to the treatment of air in factories and other places where conditioned air is necessary and more particularly has reference to the humidification and heat treatment of air to bring the same to the proper condition for use in factories and other buildings.

The desirability of using humidified air in many industries has been well recognized. For instance, certain manufacturing operations can- 10 not be properly carried out if the atmosphere is too dry or too damp. Furthermore, it is found desirable to have the air in factories and other buildings in which persons work, at proper condition so as to not prove detrimental to the health of the people working therein.

The primary object of this invention is to devise apparatus for conditioning air.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for conditioning air composed 2 of several independent heating, filtering, cooling and humidifying units, which may be used in various combinations.

Another object of this invention is to devise an automatically operable check and by-pass valve.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unitary apparatus adapted to be positioned within a space, the air of which is to be,conditioned, the devices being of unitary construction. 1

Yet another object of this invention is to devise an apparatus adapted to be positioned with;- in a factory or other interior chamber for conditioning the air therein, which comprises means for filtering, humidifying and tempering the air passing therethrough.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a unitary conditioning apparatus adapted to filter, humidify and temper air passing therethrough automatically.

A further object of this invention-is to provide an apparatus adapted to be positioned within a building to condition air therein, said devices comprising means for drawing air from the interior of the building. or entirely fresh air or a mixture of both, filtering, humidifying and heating or cooling the air, and then distributing the same within the building.

A still further object of this invention is to devise a unitary air conditioning apparatus and a unitary cooling device adapted to be associated with the air conditioning apparatus for maintaining the atmosphere of the building at the required condition.

may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 4

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided for so conditioning air or other gas to be supplied to a factory work room or other building, as to avoid the disadvantages inherent in the prior art methods and apparatus for conditioning air and other gases. One concept of the present invention comprises associating heating, cooling, filtering and humidifying units in such a manner as to properly condition the air or other gas.

One form of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention consists of a casing having a plurality of bafiles arranged therein so as to define a zigzag passageway therethrough. Means are provided for forcing air through said zigzag passageway and for distributing the air after proper treatment throughout a room containing the apparatus. Filtering devices are arranged in said zigzag passageway for removing dust and other objectionable matter from the air to be further conditioned. There are also positioned within the passageway a plurality of humidifying devices which consist of bodies of water adapted to be heated to eifect generation of water vapor to be diffused into the air passing thereover. Before being distributed, the filtered and humidified air is either heated or cooled, as is found necessary to bring the same to the most desirable condition for the use to which it is to be put. Automatic control devices for controlling the humidifying and tempering elements may be associated with the apparatus.

Other forms .of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings, means for carrying the same into practical effect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constru'ctions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a form of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1. 110

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the humidifying unit shown in' Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a view of the discharge end of the humidifying unit shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 ma detail view of the air or gas inlet end of the humidifying unit shown in the preceding figures, in which the automatically operated check and by-pass valve is shown in'detail.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, with the automatically operated-by-pass and check valve in its by-pass position.

Figure 7 is a detail view of the gas discharge openings and the directing vanes associated therewith.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of the control circuit for the fan motor and the steam heating coils.v

InFigure 1, there is shown a form of the present. invention. In this figure, as well as in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the apparatus is so shown that its op'eration may be readily understood. The humidifying apparatus shown in these figures consists of an outer casing 50, having an air inlet 51 and an air discharge 52. As clearly shownin Figure 2, the apparatus is divided by a plurality of vertical and horizontal partitions, forming several compartments. For instance, in the lower portion of the apparatus there is positioned a tank structure" 53, into which extends the vertical bafile 54. It will be noted that this baflie extends into the tank 53 just below the surface of the water so as to prevent the flow of air from one side of the baffle to the other. This baflle 54 extends to a point spaced from the upper wall or roof of the chamber 50.

At the other end of the chamber 50, there is a dependingvertical baflle 55 which extends from the roof of the chamber 50 to a point spaced from the tank 53. I Extending from the bafiie 55 is a tank structure 56 which serves as a baflle or deflector for the current of gas flowing through the apparatus. It will be noted that the free end of the tank structure 56 is spaced from the baflle '54 so as to provide a passagebetween the end of the tank 56 and the baflle 54', through which the gas may flow. Positioned above the tank structure 56 is a third tank 57 which is fixed to the vertical baffle 54 and has its free end spaced from ime baflie 55 so as to provide an air passage therebetween. A small horizontal baflle 61 extends between'the baflle 54 and the adjacent end wall of the chamber 50, so as to prevent theair being introduced into the chamber 50 from flowing down onto the surface of the water maintained in the lower tank 53.

From the foregoing description, and from the showing in Figure 2, it will be appreciated that air introduced through the inlet opening 51 will flow first over the upper surface of tank 57, then downwardly between the end of tank 57 and baffle 55' and overthe surface of tank 56. From this point, the gas will flow'downwardly between the end of tank 56. and baflie 54 over the surface of tank 53 and outwardly into the discharge chamber 52.

Positioned in each of the tanks 53, 56 ;and 57 is a heating coil 53', 56' and 57'. From the showing in Figure 2, it will be noted that the coils are so positioned in the tanks that they will be submerged beneath the surface of a bodyof water maintained in each of .the tanks. These coils are connected with suitable heating fluid supply manifolds and discharge manifolds to be described more in detail hereinafter. In order to prevent the. formation of waves on the surface of the several tanks.

Water is supplied to the several tanks shown in 'baflies 58 are located at'spaced points in'each of the drawings by means of a supply conduit 59,

which discharges into the water tank 57. Positioned in the chamber 60 and in the tank 53 isa .vfl oat controlled valve 62, which regulates, the quantity of water introduced into the tank 57.

The valve, however, is controlled by the level of water in the tank 53; consequently, when the level of the water in the tank 53 falls below a. predetermined limit, thevalve is opened andwater is supplied to the upper tank 57.

As water is introduced in the tank 57, its level rises until it overflows through the overflow conduit 63 into the intermediate tank 56. When the level in the tank 56 exceeds a predetermined height, the water overflows through the conduit 64 into the lower tank 53, thereby bringing the level in that tank up sufficiently' high to actuate the float valve 62 and close off the supply of water to the upper tank 57. Any excess water in the lower. tank 53 may be discharged through the overflow 65. It will be appreciated that the apparatus just described is instrumental in 'maintaining a desired level in each and all of the several humidifying tanks.

'As hereinbefore intimated, a heating medium is supplied to each of the coils 53, 56 and 57, in

order to heat up the bodies of water maintained in each of the tanks, and thereby generate water vapor for humidifying the gas passing through A heating medium such as steam.

the apparatus. is supplied by means of the conduit 66 and passes through the magnetic valve 67 and thence'into header 68. From header 68, a conduit 69 extends to coil 53'. This conduit is provided with a manually controlled valve -70. Coil 56 is connected with header 68 by means of conduit 71, and coil 57' is connected with header 68 by means of conduit 72. Each of the conduits 71 and 72 is proout certain of the humidifying coils to reduce the amount of moisture supplied to the gas passing through the apparatus, the weights may be hung on the arms of the whistle valves to close off the supply of heating medium to the desired coils. It

will also be noted that the steam or heating medium supplied to coil 53' is controlled by the manually'operated valve 70 so that any desired adjustment of the quantity of steam supplied to the coils may be made and consequently the rate of evaporationof the water maintained in the several tanks may be controlled at will. v With all of the heating units in operation, the

gas discharged from the apparatus will be about.

6 to 8 higher, dry bulb temperature, than the entering air. It will be noted that a thermostat bulb 79 is positioned beneath the surface of the water in tank 53. This bulb communicates through a tube 80 with a thermostat control element 81. With this arrangement, an electrical control circuit associated with the magnetic valve 67 may be opened or closed to actuate the magnetic valve 67 and thereby regulate the flow of steam through the conduit 66 to the header 68. This permits the temperature of the water to be definitely controlled.

In operation, air is drawn in the ducts 82 and/or 83 by the fan or blower 84, which is actuated by a suitable motor 85 and is then introduced into the humidifying apparatus through the inlet 51. The air then passes over the several humidifying tanks and in so doingis humidified by the vapors arising from the surface of the several bodies of water. The humidified air is then discharged into the discharge chamber 52 and from this chamber passes outwardly through the grille 86.

Positioned in the discharge chamber 50 is a thermostat bulb 87 which is connected by means of a tube 88 with a motor 89- having a movable arm 90 for actuating the valves or dampers 91 and 92 positioned in the ducts 82 and 83, respectively. As clearly illustrated in Figure 1, valves or dampers 91 and 92 are connected together for simultaneous operation, in such a manner that when one valve is in full open position, the other valve is in full closed position. With this arrangement, air may be drawn into the intake of blower 84 solely through duct 82, or solely through duct 83, or simultaneuously in regulated quantities through both ducts. Preferably duct, 82 communicates with the outside of the building and duct 83 is in communication with the building or room into which the humidified air is discharged. Consequently, one source of air will be at a lower temperature than the other and thereby by actuating the valves 91 and 92, air of a desired temperature will be introduced into the humidifying apparatus, and from the humidifying apparatus into the room.

In Figure 7, a detailed view is shown of the discharge end of the apparatus in which the grille 86 is provided with deflector vanes 93, which may be moved either upwardly or downwardly to deflect the discharge air upwardly or downwardly.

One feature disclosed in this form of apparatus which is of particular advantage is the automatically operated valve 94 positioned in the upper wall of the apparatus adjacent the air inlet. As more clearly shown in Figures 5 and 6, this valve is positioned in an opening 95 formed in the roof or upper wall of the chamber 50 and is of distorted 2 formation. In the position shown in Figure 5, the valve 94 which is rather accurately balanced about its pivot point 96 is held in-such a position as to close the opening 95 by the current of air introduced into the apparatus through the inlet opening 51'. As soon, however, as the air current introduced in the inlet opening 51 stops flowing, the valve, due to its weight, will fall to a position shown in Figure 6, so as to cut off communication between the humidifying passage over the tanks 53, 56 and 57 and the blower 84. With this construction, it will be appreciated that when the blower is stopped, the vapors will continue to rise from the bodies of water, but due to the valve 94 moving to its open position, the vapors arising from the body of water will be deflected upwardly through the opening 95 and will not be allowed to pass into the blower 84 or its communicating ducts. By preventing the access of the moisture laden air or vapors into the blower 84 or its communicating ducts, condensation of moisture therein and consequent rusting of the blower or the other parts thereof will'be prevented.

as to connect the control line with the leads 100, whereby the magnet 98 will be energized and will cause the switch arms 97 to move to a point whereby current will flow from the motor supply line to the motor 85. Simultaneously, with the completion of the circuit between the magnet 98 and the control line by means of switch 99, there is also established a circuit between the control line and the magnetically operated valve 67. For instance, when the switch 99 is moved to the closed position, current will flow through line 101 to and through the resistance element 102 through magnet 103 and thence through line 104 to one terminal of the thermostat control element 81. Since the body of water at this time will probably be at a low temperature, the thermostat control element 81 will be at such a position that line 104 will be connected with line 105. The current will then flow from line 104 to line 105 and will return to the control line by way of conduit 106. Upon the current making this circuit, magnet 103 will be energized and will cause the switch arms 107 and 107' to be moved to contact points 108 and 109, respectively. The current will then flow through line 101, contact point 108, arm 107, to the coil of magnetic valve 67. From the coil 67, the current will flow to the contact point 109 and will thence flow through line 110 to line. 106 and return to the control line. It will be appreciated that upon completion of this circuit, the magnetic valve will be moved to permit steam to flow through the line 66 to the manifold 68.

Steam will continue to flow through the line 66 until the movable element of the thermostatic control device ,81 moves to disconnect lines 104 and 105 and to connect lines 105 and 111,. It will be noted that in addition to the circuit through the magnet 103 and the lines 104 and 105, which is completed by the thermostatic control device 81, there is in addition upon movement of arm 107 to contact point 109, a circuit from line 104 through arm 107' tocontact point 109 and thence by way of line 110 to line 106 and return to the control line.

As the movable element of the thermostatic control device 81 moves to break the connection between lines 104 and 105, the magnet 103 will not be de-energized because of the parallel circu t through arm 107'. Thus the magnet 103 will be energized and will maintain the switch arms 107 and 107 in a position to complete the circuit through the magnetic valve .67 and the magnet 103.

As the movable element of the thermostatic control device 81 moves to connect lines 105 with 111, there will be a circuit established which will short circuit the magnet 103. In thisinstance, the current will flow through line 101 to contact point 108 through resistance'element 102, through line 112 to line 111 to line 105, and thence by way of line 106 to the control line. It will be noted that the line 112 being of'less resistance than the coil of magnet 103, will per-- mit the current to flow directly from the resistance element 102 to the line 106. This will cause the majority of the current to by-pass the magnet 103 and thereby permit the same to become deenergized. Upon completion of the circuit including lines 112 and 111, the arms 107 and 107' will return to their normal position and the magnet 67 will be de-energized permitting the valve controlled thereby to close and shut off the supply of steam.

It will be appreciated that the circuit and apparatus herein described will be instrumental in controlling the temperature of the water in the tanks 53, 56 and 57 automatically. Of course, when it is desired to stop the blower 84 and to also shut oif the supply of steam to the coils in tanks 53, 56 and 57, it is only necessary to move the switch 99 to the open position, or the switch 99 may be actuated by a humidistat located in the room.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing disclosure that I have provided an apparatus capable oi? conditioning air in factories and large rooms which operates in a simple manner and occupies a relatively small amount of space. Air humidified in accordance with the present invention will contain water in the true vapor form which will penetrate to all parts of the room and the material being stored in the room. An advantage of water vapor in this form is the lack of 'precipitation of particles of the water on objects within the room.

It will be appreciated that with this type of apparatus the filter, preheater units or both can be installed subsequent to the original humidifier .installation without alteration to the original installation, and this is a decided advantage as it makes possible the gradual purchase of the complete equipment without loss-on the original investment.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth,

'4 by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A' humidifying apparatus comprising a casing having a plurality of staggered trays mounted therein, means associated with each tray for maintaining a body of water thereon, a

heating element positioned within the body of water maintained on each tray for heating the water and generating vapors, means for causing a gas to flow serially over the bodies of water maintained'on said trays, a blower associated with said apparatus, a. conduit connecting the blower with said casing, and means operable, upon stopping of the operation of the blower, for closing communication between the blower and said casing.

2. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing having an inlet compartment, a humidifying compartment and a discharge compartment, a blower connected with said inlet compartment for introducing a gas therein, said inlet compartment having an opening formed in one of its walls whereby communication may be had with the atmosphere, a'heck valve positioned in said opening adapted to be maintained in a closed position by the movement of a stream of air introduced into said compartment by the blower, said valve being so positioned in said opening as to close off communicationbetween said inlet compartment and the humidifying compartment when unaffected by the stream of air forced into said compartment by the blower.

3. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing having an inlet compartment, a humidifying compartment and a discharge compartment, said inlet compartment having communication with a source of gas under pressure and with the atmosphere, a valve positioned in said inlet compartment adapted to close off communication between said inlet compartment and the atmosphere when in one position and to close off communication between the inlet compartment and the humidifying compartment when in its other position, and to place the humidifying compartment in communication with the atmosphere.

4. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing having. an inlet compartment, a humidifying compartment and a discharge compartment, said inlet compartment having communication with a source of gas under pressure and with the atmosphere, a valve positioned in said inlet compartment adapted to close of! communication between said inlet compartment and the atmosphere when in one position and to close off communication between the inlet compartment and the humidifying compartment when in its other position, and to place the humidifying compartment in communication with the atmosphere, said valve being so constructed and so mounted as/to normally remain in a position whereby the humidifying compartment is in communication with the atmosphere, said valve being adapted to be moved to'its other position upon the intro duction of a stream of gas into said inlet compartment under pressure.

5. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing having an inlet compartment, a humidifying compartment and a discharge compartment, saidh'umidifying compartment comprising a plurality of staggered trays having water tanks mounted thereon, said trays being so positioned that a gas passing through said humidifying compartment will flow serially and downwardly over said tanks, means for supplying water to the upper of said tanks, and means for transferring the overflow from the upper tank to the lower tank, and means in the lower tank for controlling the amount of water supplied to the upper tank.

- 6. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing having an inlet compartment, a humidifying compartment and a discharge compartment, said humidifying compartment comprising a plurality of staggered trays having water tanks mounted thereon, said trays being so positioned that a gas passing through said humidifying compartment will flow serially and downwardly GORDON DON HARRIS. 

